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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Minneapolis, MN

Our Recommended Top 16

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Minneapolis Criminal Defense Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

291Reviewed

181Curated

16Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

333 Washington Ave N Ste 405, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (68)
Google
4.8 (25)
Justia
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Arneson & Geffen protects the rights of clients in Minneapolis and the surrounding areas. Its founder, Mark Arneson, is a former prosecutor and focuses his practice exclusively on the defense of criminal charges, including drug offenses, DWI, domestic assault, assault, sex offenses, and murder. He also takes on lawsuits involving manslaughter, white-collar crimes, and theft. Arneson has been practicing criminal law for over 25 years and is a member of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

  • Domestic Violence
  • Juvenile Crimes
  • Federal Crime
  • Expungement
  • Sex Crimes
  • Theft & Burglary
  • Assault
  • Criminal Defense

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Mark Arneson - PartnerActive27 yrs
Jon Geffen - PartnerActive27 yrs

121 S 8th St Ste 893, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (91)
Avvo
5.0 (21)
Facebook
5.0 (16)

Why choose this provider?

Lundgren & Johnson, PSC, is a criminal defense law firm founded in Minneapolis in 2016. Its team protects the interests of people who have been accused of burglary, assault, kidnapping, murder, manslaughter, and robbery. The practice also defends clients facing charges of child pornography, prostitution, computer crimes, and indecent exposure. It represents clients during state and federal court proceedings. The principal partners, David Lundgren and Adam Johnson, are members of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

  • Domestic Violence
  • Burglary
  • Computer and Internet Crimes
  • Assault Crimes

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Adam Johnson - PartnerActive15 yrs
David Lundgren - PartnerActive12 yrs

302 10th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (94)
Facebook
3.9 (25)
FindLaw
5.0 (18)

Why choose this provider?

Groshek Law PA is a criminal defense law firm that has been representing clients in Minneapolis since 2006. Its attorneys are practiced in taking on a wide variety of cases including those involving sexual and physical assault, operation of vehicles while under the influence, and burglary. They also have experience assessing if clients' criminal records can be expunged. Founder Christa Groshek has been recognized by Thomson Reuters as a Super Lawyers Rising Star.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Katherine Claffey - Associate AttorneyActive6 yrs
Christa Groshek - Owner/Managing AttorneyActive24 yrs

400 S 4th St Ste 806M, Minneapolis, MN 55415

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (99)
Google
5.0 (50)
Facebook
4.6 (15)

Why choose this provider?

Keyser Law PA is a criminal defense law firm serving the residents of Minneapolis that has another office located in Stillwater. The firm aims to achieve dismissals, acquittals, or reduced charges on behalf of their clients during a trial. It represents clients who are being prosecuted for serious crimes, such as kidnapping, sexual assault, domestic violence, and drunk driving. Founding attorney Christopher Keyser has been featured in the National Trial Lawyers' Top 40 Under 40 ranking.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Chris Keyser - PrincipalActive16 yrs

1622 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (46)
Yelp
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Keegan Law Office is a criminal defense law firm representing the residents of Minneapolis and the surrounding area. Founding attorney Kelly Keegan has been practicing law since 2006, and she takes cases for clients accused of sexual assault, theft and burglary, domestic violence, and murder. She also performs expungements for her clients' criminal records. Keegan has been recognized by Thomson Reuters as a Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Star for eight consecutive years.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Kelly Keegan - OwnerActive18 yrs

10 S 5th St Ste 525, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (86)
Facebook
4.6 (18)
Avvo
4.9 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Caplan & Tamburino Law Firm PA is a criminal defense and personal injury law firm operating out of Minneapolis that has been in business since 1983. The firm's attorneys are experienced in all types of criminal defense, including DWI, Title IX, domestic abuse, white collar crimes, and weapons violations. They also perform expungements for clients' arrest and conviction records. Founding attorney Allan Caplan has been included in the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100 Trial Lawyers list and partner Joseph Tamburino has been voted into SuperLawyers© since 2003

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Joseph Tamburino - PartnerActive35 yrs

4501 Minnetonka Blvd Ste 100, Minneapolis, MN 55416

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (128)
Avvo
5.0 (20)

Why choose this provider?

Appelman Law Firm is a criminal defense law firm representing the people of Minneapolis and the surrounding areas. Founding attorney Avery Appelman has been practicing law for over 20 years, and his firm is primarily recognized for its work in drunk driving defense. The attorneys also defend clients in cases involving drug possession, prostitution, sexual assault, and traffic violations. Appelman has been honored by Thomson Reuters with inclusion in the Super Lawyers list.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Avery Appelman - PartnerActive28 yrs

7825 Washington Ave S Ste 220, Bloomington, MN 55439

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (12)
Facebook
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Kans Law Firm LLC is a criminal defense law office that has been representing those accused of misdemeanors and felonies in the Minneapolis area for over 20 years. A large part of the firm's workload is comprised of DUI and DWI representation, but it also takes on cases involving domestic violence, drug possession and sale, white-collar crimes, and sexual assault. Founding attorney Douglas Kans was honored by the National Trial Lawyers with inclusion in the Top 100 Trial Lawyers list.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Douglas Kans - PrincipalActive29 yrs

3201 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (35)
Avvo
5.0 (34)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

London Defense is a specialty law firm that serves clients in Minneapolis. It provides aggressive representation for those charged with various crimes, including DUI, bribery, arson, assault, and homicide. It takes a proactive approach to each case, investigating all pertinent information and fighting for its clients' rights. It also assists with juvenile defense and expungements. London Defense's successful cases include a 2022 theft and theft by embezzlement lawsuit, which was ruled as not guilty on all charges. 

  • DWI/DUI

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Joshua London - Managing PartnerActive10 yrs

5500 Wayzata Boulevard, Golden Valley, MN 55416

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (58)
FindLaw
5.0 (14)
Avvo
5.0 (9)

Why choose this provider?

Mankey Law Office is a law firm with more than 30 years of experience defending clients in the Minneapolis area. The firm represents those accused of a broad range of federal and state crimes, including drug offenses, violent crimes, theft, DUI/DWI, domestic violence, sex crimes, and firearms offenses. It hires investigators and interviews witnesses to ensure clients receive the best defense possible. Mankey Law Office goes to trial when necessary, drawing on its extensive litigation experience.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Matthew Mankey - PrincipalActive32 yrs

333 North Washington Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (104)
Avvo
4.9 (33)
Facebook
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Anderson Defense provides legal counsel and representation for criminal offenses. The criminal defense attorneys in Minneapolis advocate on behalf of clients facing traffic violation allegations such as DUI and driving after revocation prohibited. The lawyers defend those accused of domestic violence and violent and juvenile crimes. They also offer legal counsel for probation violation cases. Other cases the firm works on include burglary, theft, kidnapping, and sex crime charges. Eric H. Anderson is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Eric Anderson - Managing AttorneyActive11 yrs

4024 151st Avenue NW, Andover, MN 55304

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Meaney & Patrin PA is a criminal defense law firm that has been serving the people of Minneapolis and the surrounding area since 2001. The firm is primarily recognized for its work in DUI and DWI defense. It looks into field sobriety tests to determine if the client was treated fairly. Situations that can disallow a test include improper administration, poor conditions, and a preexisting disability. Founding attorney Ethan Meaney is a member of the National College of DUI Defense.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Derek Andrews - PartnerActive11 yrs
Ethan Meaney - PartnerActive25 yrs

210 W Grant St #114,, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (30)
Avvo
5.0 (13)
Facebook
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Carson J. Heefner is a criminal defense attorney who caters to clients in Minneapolis and the surrounding communities. He offers strong legal representation and counsel to individuals arrested for burglary, murder, manslaughter, prostitution, kidnapping, and drug crimes. He has over 20 years of legal experience and has handled more than 2,000 cases throughout his career. Fox 9 and the Star Tribune covered one of Heefner's cases involving a former Minneapolis police officer accused of felony assault.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Domestic Violence
  • Drug Crimes

222 S 9th St, Suite 1600, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (5)
Avvo
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Tyler Bliss Attorney-at-Law is a Minneapolis-based litigator whose focus is on criminal defense. For over 10 years, Bliss has been helping individuals who face manslaughter, murder, domestic assault, or sex crime charges. He handles securities fraud, embezzlement, and racketeering cases, and files post-conviction relief and appeals. With the help of technology and subject matter experts, he gathers GPS and metadata and follows digital trails in order to build an aggressive defense for clients accused of complex crimes.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Domestic Violence

333 South Seventh Street Suite 2850, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (5)
Facebook
5.0 (4)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Thomas P. Leavitt Criminal Defense, PLLC, serves criminal case defendants in Minneapolis. It handles cases concerning homicide, embezzlement, drug trafficking, drunk driving, and fraud. Dedicated to providing defendants with aggressive legal representation, the firm provides consultations and then builds cases that challenge the evidence presented against its client. It also deals with matters involving sexual offenses, such as rape. The firm's lawyer, Thomas Leavitt, is a member of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He is experienced in expungement cases.

  • Drug Crimes

3201 Hennepin Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Brockton D. Hunter, P.A., is open to inquiries from clients throughout Minneapolis. Its team provides legal representation for individuals who are involved in sex, drug, and violent crimes, along with army veterans who are charged with felonies and misdemeanors. It analyzes factors such as a client's prior criminal record, instances of recidivism, and established intent in formulating a defense argument and reducing penalties. Hunter also serves the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as its current president and legislative chair.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Domestic Violence
  • Drug Crimes

Compare our Top Criminal Defense Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Arneson & Geffen, Criminal Defense
333 Washington Ave N Ste 405, Minneapolis, MN 55401Free consultation
Lundgren & Johnson, PSC
121 S 8th St Ste 893, Minneapolis, MN 55402Free Consultation
Groshek Law PA
302 10th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Keyser Law, P.A.
400 S 4th St Ste 806M, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Keegan Law Office
1622 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Caplan & Tamburino Law Firm, P.A.
10 S 5th St Ste 525, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Appelman Law Firm
4501 Minnetonka Blvd Ste 100, Minneapolis, MN 55416
Kans Law Firm LLC
7825 Washington Ave S Ste 220, Bloomington, MN 55439
London Defense
3201 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Mankey Law Office
5500 Wayzata Boulevard, Golden Valley, MN 55416
Anderson Defense
333 North Washington Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Meaney & Patrin, PA - THE DWI GUYS
4024 151st Avenue NW, Andover, MN 55304
Carson J. Heefner
210 W Grant St #114,, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Tyler Bliss Attorney-at-Law
222 S 9th St, Suite 1600, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Thomas P. Leavitt Criminal Defense PLLC
333 South Seventh Street Suite 2850, Minneapolis, MN 55402
The Law Office of Brockton D. Hunter, P.A.
3201 Hennepin Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Minneapolis, Minnesota?

    311 is the non-emergency contact number for the Minneapolis Police Department.

  • How much does a criminal defense attorney cost in Minneapolis?

    Criminal defense attorney fees in Minneapolis vary depending on the charges defendants face and the challenges in their cases. There is no formula for determining what a specific attorney might cost because every attorney sets his or her own rate. A retainer fee for a criminal defense attorney is usually higher for a complex case than for a simple one. Attorneys with years of experience who only take on large-scale cases may charge exorbitant fees just to take the case.

  • How do motorists who lost their driver’s licenses due to a DWI conviction in Minneapolis get a work permit or limited license?

    Minneapolis drivers convicted of DWI must wait from 15 days to one year to get a limited driver’s license or work permit. The specified mandatory waiting period is based on several factors, including the number of prior DWIs they have and whether they took the breath analyzer test or not. The services of an experienced criminal defense lawyer are recommended because of the growing complexity of DWI law, including penalties and defenses.

  • Is self-representation in court an option for defendants in Minneapolis?

    No, because it is difficult for defendants in Minneapolis to handle their own criminal cases competently. Although they have the right to represent themselves in court, their legal knowledge is limited in comparison to that of a qualified criminal defense attorney. An experienced lawyer also understands how community pressures affect criminal cases.

  • Is a public defender a good option for defendants in Minneapolis?

    Individuals facing a criminal charge in Minneapolis are advised to seek a qualified criminal defense lawyer to secure the best possible outcome. Defendants may be able to receive a state- or government-appointed public defender to represent them. Although public defenders have experience handling many criminal cases, they usually have large caseloads.

  • Do criminal cases in Minneapolis get dismissed if a police officer fails to read a suspect's rights?

    No, case dismissal due to the failure of a police officer to read a suspect's Miranda Rights is a misconception in Minneapolis and throughout the state of Minnesota. Miranda rights only apply if the officer asks questions while a suspect is in custody. If their rights are not read to them, it could mean that their statements cannot be used against them at their trial.